Wire stripper and latch structure

ABSTRACT

In a wire stripper device having a pair of pivoted levers, handles mounted in the levers to open and close the levers, a latch assembly operable to allow substantial penetration of the insulation of a wire before stripping and also to allow removal of the stripped wire prior to closing the levers, thereby preventing nicking or other damage to the wire. A latch plate operates to delay movement of the levers after movement of the handles due to the frictional resistance or restraint of a ridge on the plate that is in contact with a button secured to a lever.

United States Patent [19] Cox, Jr.

[ WIRE STRIPPER AND LATCH STRUCTURE [75] Inventor: John A. Cox, Jr., Genoa, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Ideal Industries Inc., Sycamore, Ill. [22] Filed: Jan. 26, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 327,127

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 187,808, Oct. 8, 1971. abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 868,333, Oct. 22, 1969, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl 81/95 A [51] Int. Cl H02g 1/12 [58] Field of Search 81/95 A, 9.5 R; 30/90.l,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,313,793 3/1943 Wood ..8l/9.5A

[ July 2, 1974 2,842,992 7/l958 Hindenburg 81/95 A Primary Examiner-Al Lawrence Smith Assistant Eraminer-Roscoe V. Parker Attorney, Agent, or Firml(inzer, Plyer, Dorn &

McEachran [57] ABSTRACT In a wire stripper device having a pair of pivoted levers, handles mounted in the levers to open and close the levers, a latch assembly operable to allow substantial penetration of the insulation of a wire before stripping and also to allow removal of the stripped wire 'prior to closing the levers, thereby preventing nicking or other damage to the wire. A latch plate operates to delay movement of the levers after movement of the handles due to the frictional resistance or restraint of a ridge on the plate that is in contact with a button secured to a lever.

17 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUL 21914 saw an; 2

WIRE STRIPPER AND LATCH STRUCTURE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This is a continuation of application, Ser. No. 187,808, filed Oct. 8, l97 l now abandoned, which was a continuation of Ser. No. 868,333, filed Oct. 22, 1969, now abandoned.

This invention is in the field of wire strippers and particularly relates to a manually operated hand wire stripper, although it could be used for other types of strippers.

A primary object of the invention is a wire stripper that has a latch assembly which improves the wire stripping ability of a stripper while utilizing a less complex mechanism.

Another object is a stripper having a latch mechanism that permits the stripper blades to fully penetrate the insulation of the wire before stripping occurs.

Another object is a stripper having a latch mechanism that permit penetration of all layers of insulation on a multilayered insulated wire prior to the actual stripping of the insulation.

Another object is a stripper having a latch plate assembly that can be formed of a plastic or plastic-like material.

Another object is a stripper having a latch mechanism that during manufacture is easily assembled without use of special tools.

Another object is a stripper having a latch mechanism that contributes to the overall appearance of the stripper.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the ensuing specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the stripper;

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section along line 33 of FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged lateral view of the stripper of FIG. 1 with the latch plate and other parts removed and partially in section;

FIG. 5 is a view of the latch plate taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 is a section taken along line 66 of FIG. 5, with adjacent parts added.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, the device for stripping insulation from a wire is indicated generally at 10, and as generally shown in US. Pat. No. 3,564,951, issued Feb. 23, 1971, and assigned to the present assignee.

Stripper 10 has a pair of wire gripping or clamping blades 12,14 and a pair of stripping blades 16,18 mounted on a pair of pivoted levers, indicated generally at 20,22 which are connected by the pivot pin 24.

The handle 26 which is identical to handle 28, may be formed into a U-shaped cross section and mounted between the side extensions 30,32 of the lever 32 by means of pins 34,35 which are positioned in holes in the frames 20,22 as well as in arcuate slots 40 formed in the handle side legs, as has been shown in FIG. 4. This mounting arrangement provides movement of the handles with respect to the levers 20,22 on an are about the phantom centers (not shown). Return spring 46 mounted about the pivot pin 24 urges the handles and levers to the position illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to the latch mechanism, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the latch plate 50 attached to the stripper by means of frictional securement of the end portion of the pins 34 with the annular recesses 52 in the plate 50. Since pins 34 are used for attaching the plate, they are longer than pins 36. The plate 50 has a thinner center portion 54 which allows some degree of bending flexibility. Near the opposite end portion is a ridge, indicated generally at 56, which protrudes inwardly from the surface of the thin portion 54. The ridge may have surfaces 58,60 which are inclined at different angles as shown, or they may be inclined at identical angles or may be curved. In the side leg 30 of the lever 22 is an annular opening 62 into which a latch button 64 is placed.

' The use, operation and function of the invention are as follows:

In the operation of a hand stripper, it is important that the device works easily and cleanly strips the insulation from a wire, without causing any damage to the wire itself. Therefore in the type of hand stripper shown generally in FIG. 1, it is important that the gripping blades 12,14 firmly grip the wire and the stripping blades 16,18 thoroughly penetrate the insulation of the wire before the stripping action caused by the separation of the levers 20,22 occurs. When the handles are closed, the latch mechanism resists the opening of the levers 20,22 around the pivot pin 24 until the blades have penetrated the insulation of the wire because of frictional resistance, restraint or camming action between the ridge 56 and the latch button 64. After the respective blades have closed, further closing of the handles tends to pivot the levers apart from each other and necessarily urges the button carried by the leg 30 of the lever 22 to bend or deflect the plate 50 away from the lever as it moves, because of contact upon the surface 58 of the ridge by the button which might be described as a detent action. As further separation occurs, the button continues to move relative to the ridge until it is on the other side of the ridge, a condition occurring when the levers have been fully separated.

The wire, having been completely stripped at this point, is removed after the handles are slightly opened. The latch mechanism tends to keep the levers open because of resistance, now to the opposite direction, between the latch button and the other surface 60 of the ridge. Further opening of the handles tends to move the button 64 relative to the ridge, and therefore tends to bend the latch plate laterally away from the lever again, so that the button rides over or crosses the ridge to its original position.

The resistance to the opening or closing of the levers is a function of the strength of the latch plate material, the height of the ridge and button, as well as the angles of inclination of the ridge and button surfaces, and may be varied as required.

The latch plate need only be pressed upon the extended pins 34 in a conventional manner, and therefore may require no special or possibly expensive assembly tools.

The reduced number of components of the echanism may result in favorable manufacturing cost results.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a stripper mechanism, a pair of pivoted levers, handles mounted on the levers and constructed to perform a closing and opening action effective to open and close the levers, pairs of clamping and stripping members on the levers effective to grasp and strip insulation from a wire positioned between them, and a latch plate between the levers mounted on one and bearing against the other, effective to delay opening said levers upon closing said handles thereby allowing substantial penetration of the insulation by the members prior to stripping the wire, and effective to delay closing said levers upon opening said handles, thereby allowing the wire to be removed from the members after stripping and prior to closing the levers.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including a latch button secured to a first lever and a latch plate having an end portion attached to the second of the levers, an opposite end portion substantially coextensive with the first lever, and having an integrally formed protruding ridge contacting said button effective upon opening and closing said handles.

3. The structure of claim 2 further characterized by said ridge having generally inclining surfaces, so that movement of said button relative to said ridge effects contact with said ridge causing resistance to further movement, the resistance being less than a substantial locking action.

4. The structure of claim 2 further characterized in that the latch plate has at least one annular recess operable to receive an annular extension in frictional securement, thereby effecting attachment of the latch plate to the first lever.

5. In a stripper mechanism, a pair of pivoted levers, handles mounted on the levers and constructed to perform a closing and opening action effective to open and close the levers, pairs of clamping and stripping members on the levers effective to grasp and strip insulation from a wire positioned between them, and a latch assembly between the levers including a latch lever rigidly mounted on one lever and freely extending therefrom to flex opposite at least a portion of the other lever with interference surfaces therebetween effective to delay opening the levers upon closing of the handles,

thereby allowing substantial penetration of the insulation by the members prior to stripping the wire, and effective to delay closing the levers upon opening of the handles, thereby allowing the wire to be removed from the members after stripping and prior to closing the levers.

6. The structure of claim 2 further characterized in that the latch plate has a center portion with a thickness in cross section less than the end portion so that bending of the plate will occur.

7. In a stripper mechanism, a pair of pivoted levers, handles mounted on the levers and constructed to perform a closing and opening action effective to open and close the levers, pair of clamping and stripping members on the levers effective to grasp and strip insulation from a wire positioned between them, and a latch plate mounted on one lever and bearing against the other effective to delay opening said levers upon closing said handles thereby allowing substantial penetration of the insulation by the members prior to stripping the wire.

8. The structure of claim 7 further characterized in that the latch plate is anchored on one of the levers and overlying the other, and a projection on the other lever in contact with the inside of the latch plate.

9. The structure of claim 8 further characterized by and including a ridge on the latch plate adjacent the projection and constructed to resist initial separation of the levers as well as to initially resist closing the levers.

10. The structure of claim 7 further characterized in that the latch plate and other lever includes surfaces which initially resist-separation when the levers on the handles are closed but are overcome to allow the levers to open after a certain closing movement of the handies.

11. A stripper mechanism, a pair of pivoted levers, handles mounted on the levers and constructed to perform a closing and opening action effective to open and close the levers, pairs of clamping and stripping members on the levers effective to grasp and strip insulation from a wire positioned between them, and a latch assembly at least a portion of which is flexible in a direction generally parallel to the pivot axis of the levers effective to delay closing said levers upon opening said handles, thereby allowing the wire to be removed from the members after stripping them prior to closing the levers.

12. The structure of claim 11 further characterized in that the latch assembly includes a cantilevered latch plate mounted on one of the levers and overlying the other, and a projection on the other lever engaging a portion of the latch plate.

13. The structure of claim 11 further characterized in that the latch assembly includes a plate disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to the direction of the pivot axis and overlying both levers, the plate being rigidly mounted on one lever and freely overlying the other so as to flex opposite the other lever in a direction generally parallel to the pivot axis, and opposing surfaces on the plate and the said other lever constructed to interfere during pivoting of the levers and to bypass each other at a given point due to flexing of the plate.

mechanical means connected to the levers and constructed to cause the levers to open and close in a pivoting action, pairs of clamping and stripping members on the levers connected to the mechanical means and effective to grasp and strip insulation from a wire positioned between them, and a latch assembly on the levers including a plate rigidly mounted on one lever and freely extending therefrom to flex opposite at least a portion of the other lever, and opposed surfaces on the plate and the said other lever constructed to interfere during pivoting of the levers and to bypass each other at a given point due to flexing of the plate.

15. The structure of claim 14 further characterized in that the plate is disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to the direction of the pivot axis and is constructed to flex in a direction generally parallel to the pivot axis.

16. The structure of claim 14 further characterized in that the opposing surfaces are constructed to interfere so as to resist opening of the levers.

17. The structure of claim 14 further characterized in that the opposing surfaces are constructed to interfere so as to resist closing of the levers. 

1. In a stripper mechanism, a pair of pivoted levers, handles mounted on the levers and constructed to perform a closing and opening action effective to open and close the levers, pairs of clamping and stripping members on the levers effective to grasp and strip insulation from a wire positioned between them, and a latch plate between the levers mounted on one and bearing against the other, effective to delay opening said levers upon closing said handles thereby allowing substantial penetration of the insulation by the members prior to stripping the wire, and effecTive to delay closing said levers upon opening said handles, thereby allowing the wire to be removed from the members after stripping and prior to closing the levers.
 2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including a latch button secured to a first lever and a latch plate having an end portion attached to the second of the levers, an opposite end portion substantially coextensive with the first lever, and having an integrally formed protruding ridge contacting said button effective upon opening and closing said handles.
 3. The structure of claim 2 further characterized by said ridge having generally inclining surfaces, so that movement of said button relative to said ridge effects contact with said ridge causing resistance to further movement, the resistance being less than a substantial locking action.
 4. The structure of claim 2 further characterized in that the latch plate has at least one annular recess operable to receive an annular extension in frictional securement, thereby effecting attachment of the latch plate to the first lever.
 5. In a stripper mechanism, a pair of pivoted levers, handles mounted on the levers and constructed to perform a closing and opening action effective to open and close the levers, pairs of clamping and stripping members on the levers effective to grasp and strip insulation from a wire positioned between them, and a latch assembly between the levers including a latch lever rigidly mounted on one lever and freely extending therefrom to flex opposite at least a portion of the other lever with interference surfaces therebetween effective to delay opening the levers upon closing of the handles, thereby allowing substantial penetration of the insulation by the members prior to stripping the wire, and effective to delay closing the levers upon opening of the handles, thereby allowing the wire to be removed from the members after stripping and prior to closing the levers.
 6. The structure of claim 2 further characterized in that the latch plate has a center portion with a thickness in cross section less than the end portion so that bending of the plate will occur.
 7. In a stripper mechanism, a pair of pivoted levers, handles mounted on the levers and constructed to perform a closing and opening action effective to open and close the levers, pair of clamping and stripping members on the levers effective to grasp and strip insulation from a wire positioned between them, and a latch plate mounted on one lever and bearing against the other effective to delay opening said levers upon closing said handles thereby allowing substantial penetration of the insulation by the members prior to stripping the wire.
 8. The structure of claim 7 further characterized in that the latch plate is anchored on one of the levers and overlying the other, and a projection on the other lever in contact with the inside of the latch plate.
 9. The structure of claim 8 further characterized by and including a ridge on the latch plate adjacent the projection and constructed to resist initial separation of the levers as well as to initially resist closing the levers.
 10. The structure of claim 7 further characterized in that the latch plate and other lever includes surfaces which initially resist separation when the levers on the handles are closed but are overcome to allow the levers to open after a certain closing movement of the handles.
 11. A stripper mechanism, a pair of pivoted levers, handles mounted on the levers and constructed to perform a closing and opening action effective to open and close the levers, pairs of clamping and stripping members on the levers effective to grasp and strip insulation from a wire positioned between them, and a latch assembly at least a portion of which is flexible in a direction generally parallel to the pivot axis of the levers effective to delay closing said levers upon opening said handles, thereby allowing the wire to be removed from the members after stripping them prior to closing the levers.
 12. The structure of claim 11 further characterized in that the latch assembly includes a cantilevered latch plate mounted on one of the levers and overlying the other, and a projection on the other lever engaging a portion of the latch plate.
 13. The structure of claim 11 further characterized in that the latch assembly includes a plate disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to the direction of the pivot axis and overlying both levers, the plate being rigidly mounted on one lever and freely overlying the other so as to flex opposite the other lever in a direction generally parallel to the pivot axis, and opposing surfaces on the plate and the said other lever constructed to interfere during pivoting of the levers and to bypass each other at a given point due to flexing of the plate.
 14. In a stripper mechanism, a pair of pivoted levers, mechanical means connected to the levers and constructed to cause the levers to open and close in a pivoting action, pairs of clamping and stripping members on the levers connected to the mechanical means and effective to grasp and strip insulation from a wire positioned between them, and a latch assembly on the levers including a plate rigidly mounted on one lever and freely extending therefrom to flex opposite at least a portion of the other lever, and opposed surfaces on the plate and the said other lever constructed to interfere during pivoting of the levers and to bypass each other at a given point due to flexing of the plate.
 15. The structure of claim 14 further characterized in that the plate is disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to the direction of the pivot axis and is constructed to flex in a direction generally parallel to the pivot axis.
 16. The structure of claim 14 further characterized in that the opposing surfaces are constructed to interfere so as to resist opening of the levers.
 17. The structure of claim 14 further characterized in that the opposing surfaces are constructed to interfere so as to resist closing of the levers. 